The first step is to determine whether you live in a Community Property State or an Equitable Distribution State.

There are nine Community Property States: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Couples living in Alaska can “opt in” for community property, and Puerto Rico is a community property jurisdiction.

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(You may be interested to know that the Community Property system is derived from Spanish law, and that’s why it’s found predominantly in the southwestern states.)

The remaining 41 states are known as Equitable Distribution States (or Common Law States).

What’s the difference between a Community Property State and an Equitable Distribution State?

In a Community Property State, both spouses are typically considered equal owners of all marital property. In other words, if you live in a Community Property State, whatever you earn or acquire during the marriage is co-owned by both parties, regardless of who earned it or whose name is on the title. That means whatever you earn or acquire during the marriage is spilt 50-50 during a divorce.

If you live in an Equitable Distribution State, the law “sees” assets somewhat differently. In an Equitable Distribution State, if your name appears on an asset (the deed to a house or the title to a car, e.g.), you are considered the owner. However, in an Equitable Distribution State, your spouse has the legal right to claim a fair and equitable portion of those assets in a divorce.

The equitable distribution of assets may result in a 50-50 split of marital property, or it may not. The goal in an Equitable Distribution State is not a 50-50 split. The goal is a fair (equitable) distribution of family property.

A variety of different factors are considered when dividing family property in an Equitable Distribution State. For example, equitable distribution may be based on:

the length of the marriage

the age and health of the parties

the income and future earning capacity of parties

the standard of living established during the marriage

the value of homemaking and childcare provided during the marriage

the value of the investment one party made to help with the education, training of the other party

other factors

Please keep in mind that the entire discussion above involve marital property. Separate property is a different matter.

Whether you live in a Community Property State or an Equitable Distribution state, assets that you bring into the marriage or receive individually (an inheritance or your grandmother’s diamond ring, e.g.) remain yours. This separate property is exactly that–separate–unless you co-mingle it withmarital property. For instance, if you deposited the inheritance from your parents into a joint bank account, it’s likely that those funds would no longer be considered separate property. Instead, once co-mingled, these funds would be considered marital property and subject to division as required by your state’s laws.

In a nutshell, here’s the difference between a Community Property State and an Equitable Distribution State:

In a Community Property State, marital property is divided 50-50.

In an Equitable Distribution State, marital property is divided equitably, based on a variety of factors.

Assets aren’t necessarily the only thing acquired during marriage. Debt is often acquired, too. And just as assets are divided in divorce, debt is divided, as well. Generally speaking, the division of debt follows the same principles as the division of assets. For example, in most Community Property States, both spouses are equally responsible for the repayment of debt acquired during the marriage, even if only one spouse enjoyed the benefit. (I’ll discuss the division of debt in more detail in a future blog post.)

Okay. Are you now feeling comfortable with the distinction between Community Property and Equitable Distribution States? You are? Great! Then, I won’t feel too badly about offering this one last wrinkle:

A few states have laws with both Community Property and Equitable Distribution characteristics.

(As I’ve said before, the division of assets can get complicated quickly!)

Please, consult with your divorce attorney to learn which laws are specific to your state, and remember, when it comes to divorce, geography is critically important. Regardless of where you live, it’s essential that you seek guidance from a qualified divorce team concerning the particular circumstances of your individual case.

Nice to see this topic being mentioned. I am a Certified Financial Planner and currently studying to become a CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ) .
The best advice to who ever is going thru this chaotic period in their lives to meet with a lawyer, a CDFA , a counselor for the best outcome to the divorce.